Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple, Assemblyman John McDnald and Town of Colonie Police Lt. Robert Winn hold a press conference Friday on the largest drug bust in Albany County sheriff’s history.
Mike McMahon — The Record/The Saratogian

ALBANY COUNTY >> Two search warrants executed Thursday resulted in what county Sheriff Craig Apple says is one of the largest drug busts in the Capital Region’s history.

More than 15 ounces of heroin were found at the two residences — 1779 Central Ave., Colonie, and 2185 River Road, Coeymans. Police also found $32,000 and quantities of cocaine and marijuana.

Apple said the four-month investigation by the Sheriff’s Criminal Investigation Unit and special agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives found the organization sold heroin at local malls, including Crossgates and Colonie Center, specifically in food courts and the new Dave and Buster’s at Crossgates.

“As the organization grew, so did their methods of operation,” said a news release from the sheriff’s office.

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Apple said the drug ring may have provided heroin to areas throughout the Capital Region and beyond, as far north as Lake Luzerne.

The group would use local taxi cabs to transport the dealers, and the organization would lease the taxis and pay drivers in cash and heroin, according to the press release.

Apple said hundreds of hours of surveillance went into the investigation, and more than 20 members of the organization were identified. More arrests are expected in the case.

The Sheriff’s Emergency Response Team was assisted by the Albany County Criminal Investigation Unit and special agents from the ATF, Drug Enforcement Agency and Colonie Police Department in executing the search warrants.

Arrested were Irving Prado, 40, of Central Avenue in Albany; Donte Joseph, 23, of River Road in Coeymans; Cheick Sakho, 30, of River Road in Coeymans; and Nicholas Vervos, 60, of Rensselaer Street in Albany. All were charged with first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a felony, and were arraigned before Judge Peter Lynch in the town of Colonie.